LOUISVILLE, Ky. (www.sportsdayjax.com) – Brian Miller laced four hits, including a two-run triple, and Enmanuel De Jesus pitched five strong innings Sunday in his Jacksonville debut to lead the Jumbo Shrimp to a 3-2 victory over the Louisville Bats from Louisville Slugger Field.
The Jumbo Shrimp (21-22) scored their only runs of the game in the second inning. Charles Leblanc reached on an error with one out before Joe Rizzo walked. Another error plated Leblanc for the game’s first run. After a strikeout, Bats (21-23) starter Brett Kennedy (1-1) served up a two-run triple to Miller to make it 3-0.
De Jesus’ (1-0) lone mistake was a solo home run by Elly De La Cruz in the fourth inning. The left-hander yielded just one run on two hits in 5.0 innings with five strikeouts to earn the win.
With Jacksonville ahead 3-1, De La Cruz led off the sixth with a double. Two batters later, Jason Vosler singled him in to cut the lead to 3-2.
Louisville’s next-best chance to tie was the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Robert Garcia struck out Chuckie Robinson to preserve the 3-2 advantage. Anthony Maldonado fanned two in a perfect ninth for his third save.
After Monday’s off day, Jacksonville starts a six-game series with the Charlotte Knights with Tuesday’s 7:05 p.m. first pitch from 121 Financial Ballpark. LHP Devin Smeltzer (0-1, 5.79 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on Bally Live, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690, www.ESPN690.com and the MiLB First Pitch app.
Tuesday’s game is a Forever Vets Canines and Crustaceans Dog Day. Dogs receive free admission as long as their human companion buys a ticket. In addition, on a Community First Credit Union Two For Tuesday, tickets are 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members using their CFCU credit or debit card.